Hellidon postmistress receives royal recognition for going above and beyond for her Northants village for more than 50 years

• New Years’ Honour recognition for Hellidon postmistress for services to her rural village near Daventry
• Jenny Fell receives British Empire Medal
• At the helm of Hellidon Post Office for 51 years
• At the heart of her village and serving her rural community in many ways every day.

First-class Hellidon postmistress Jenny Fell, has been recognised by the King for services to her village near Daventry for more than half a century.

When Jenny and her husband Tony moved to Hellidon in 1966 she immediately threw herself into the activities of the village, and has volunteered in so many ways, which has really enriched the lives of all the villagers in this tight-knit community.

When the village needed a new postmaster and home for Hellidon Post Office, Jenny successfully applied. Her husband adapted their home and built a counter in their hallway.

Jenny, 82, who has been postmistress since November 1974, is to receive the British Empire Medal.

Hellidon is a part-time branch, which allowed her time for a wide array of voluntary work and to study for a history degree with the Open University. With her passion for local history, Jenny wrote a book on the history of Hellidon and several smaller guides and conduct tours for newcomers and visitors.

For many years Jenny has locked and unlocked the Church on a daily basis and has hardly ever missed a day due to her life-long contribution to the maintenance and enhancement of this place of worship, which is a central pillar of village life. Jenny has always been actively involved in the organisation of church events including the annual village fete and numerous events in the village hall.

In 2024, the village organised a party in the village hall to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Jenny being at the helm of Hellidon Post Office. Today marks her New Year’s Honours recognition and in 2026, it will be her diamond wedding anniversary, so there will be another celebration.

Community-minded Jenny also served as clerk of the parish for 13 years, as well as being joint editor, for over 20 years of the Parish News, which covered three villages. Jenny, who likes to be busy, also found time to do Meals on Wheels, prison visiting and ran a brownie group in a nearby village.

Postmistress Jenny Fell, said: “I was in shock when I received the news of my New Year’s Honour’s recognition. My husband scooped up the mail and said there was a letter for me. He urged me to open it as it looked important, but a friend from Australia had literally just arrived to stay with us. It was an official looking envelope and my first thought was what have I done wrong! So, I just asked my husband to open it in case it was a fine. He read the first line of the letter, then said I really think that you should read this. I was most surprised to read it, but I had to keep the news secret, even from my visiting friend, until the official announcement.”

Post Office Regional Manager, Tony Sanghera, said: “Jenny really has been at the heart if this community for more than 50 years. This is very well-earned recognition to someone who has devoted herself to the village of Hellidon and who has made such a difference to this community.”